Thoughts of a Christian …

Menu

On Being Vulnerable

A major part of my life was spent building walls and trying to protect myself. So I am no stranger when it comes to not allowing myself to be vulnerable. However, in the past couple of years, with the help of a few select wonderful people, these walls have come down brick by brick. It was a slow and difficult process but now I am in a state where I can genuinely appreciate the value of being vulnerable and be trusting toward people. All it takes is a bunch of encouraging people who value you and teach you to value yourself. As famously said, no man is an island. Or maybe it is just a Tenth Avenue North song. Either way, no man or woman can survive by themselves. We need people and people need us. To support, encourage, strengthen and to grow individually.

I’ve learned that not everyone judges you for what you’re going through and what you have been through. Not everyone forms their opinion of you based on your low moments. Not everyone thinks you’re weak because of what you say in the darkest of times. And not everyone belittles what is going on in your life. Key phrase? Not everyone.

So leave behind the memory of those who hurt you. And look around at what life is offering you today. The people who love you, for you. Give yourself a chance to open up, and take a risk with your heart. Who knows, maybe your vulnerability will inspire someone and you’ll have made a close friend. Maybe, in trusting them, you’ll be able to accept your true self – warts and all. That, in turn, will make it easier for you to accept those around you. And so will continue the spread of the feelings of trust and acceptance. And it all starts with you. Yes. You.